The fight against illegal mining in Ghana has reached a new level after a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Kwabena Yandoh, shocked many by going on his knees to plead with President John Dramani Mahama for urgent action.
On Sunday, September 21, 2025, Yandoh, who serves as the Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the NPP, visited the Agona Kwanyako community in the Central Region.
While addressing the press at the Kwanyako Water Treatment Plant, he surprised the crowd when he knelt down, begging the president to declare a state of emergency over the galamsey menace.
According to Yandoh, illegal mining has destroyed many rivers across the country, leaving treatment plants struggling to provide safe drinking water. He explained that the situation at Kwanyako is very alarming because the polluted water makes it almost impossible to produce clean water for the residents.
He reminded President Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign promise to deal with illegal mining. Yandoh stressed that the time has come for the government to match words with action by cracking down on galamsey operators. He added that the health and safety of millions of Ghanaians are at risk if nothing urgent is done.
“The people of Kwanyako and other communities are suffering. Their water is unsafe, their lands are being destroyed, and their lives are in danger. This is why I am humbly begging the president to act now,” he said.
His unusual act of kneeling at a press conference quickly went viral on social media, with many Ghanaians sharing the video and commenting on the seriousness of the situation.
Some praised him for putting aside pride to speak for the people, while others questioned why such drastic action was needed before leaders take galamsey seriously.
The incident highlights how desperate the situation has become, as illegal mining continues to threaten water bodies, farmland, and the future of communities. Yandoh’s bold plea is a reminder that the fight against galamsey is no longer about politics but about survival.
Source Link HERE